Less than an hour into the journey, I got lost…
The night before, I’d camped in a muddy forest called Raetea Forest. An American crazy guy’s guitar music promised a beautiful morning, or so I thought…
After continuing on, endless stretches of mud paired with uphills and downhills gradually pulled me away from the Belgian girl. Then I called out her name but got no response. Looking around at the intersecting trails, I couldn’t find any directional signs. I started feeling a bit lost.
I pulled out my phone and checked the GPS. ‘What?! I’m walking backwards?!’ No wonder the Belgian girl didn’t respond!
I immediately turned around, hoping to catch up with my companion. But I didn’t realize then—the GPS was the one that was wrong.
At another intersection, I took what looked like a well-trodden path, but it led into dense forest. Unable to find my way back, the GPS kept leading me further from the trail. I found myself climbing up and down through the trees endlessly.
Because the markers were unclear, many people hiking Te Aroura have gotten lost in this forest—some cases even made the news and prompted rescues. I couldn’t believe it was happening to me too. I had a PLB emergency beacon on me, but I didn’t want to be rescued! I wanted to walk myself out! With this singular determination, I kept trying to think calmly about how to get back to the right trail.
Finally, I realized something was wrong with the GPS. I pulled out my compass and, using the compass navigation skills I’d learned before the trip, tried to find my way back to the original trail.
Three hours later, I stepped back onto the muddy trail. I suddenly felt a wave of gratitude for that mud, but then I realized my water was gone. Without daring to stop for even a moment, I pushed myself to get out of this forest for dear life—though the mud still wouldn’t let up on slowing me down.
Seven hours later, I reached the road and rushed toward the stream beside it, drinking water in big gulps.
I was so grateful I’d learned navigation techniques before the trip—they saved my life. This harrowing experience, with its happy ending of self-rescue, became a great memory to tell.
(Reflections on 2016/12/4)
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